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Current Perspectives on the Prisoner Self-Help Movement

NCJ Number
112945
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1988) Pages: 49-56
Author(s)
M S Hamm
Date Published
1988
Length
8 pages
Annotation
After describing the organization and dynamics of various categories of inmate self-help groups, this article concludes that nonthreatening inmate organizations which have a religious ideology, do not engage in activities foreign to corrections operations, and cultivate administrative and outside support should be allowed to flourish in modern prison communities.
Abstract
One category of inmate self-help groups addresses the social stigma accompanying criminal behavior. They are usually founded by charismatic leaders, seek outside support, and are concerned with improving the social situations of members in prison and on parole. The second category deals with inmate addictions and disabilities. These groups organize around specific physical and behavioral problems, often reject outside support, and help inmates understand and cope with various handicaps. A third category of self-help groups organizes around inmate ethnic characteristics to improve the circumstances of group members. The final group category relates to a 'human potential movement' among inmates. These groups organize around goals based in self-discovery and betterment for all offenders and society in general. Corrections administrators should explore the potential of self-help groups, and inmates should determine which programs best suit individual needs without threatening prison administrators' goals for their regimes. 40 references.